Light-dimming- mechanism



A. HERZ.v Llanromnma mfcmuusm.` APPLjcmon nien 111111.18. 1915.

f, Patent-ed Aug. 1511916.l

for

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED HERZ, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF GIVE-HALF TO EDMNI) O. SCHWEI'IZER, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIGHT-DIMMING MECHANISM.

Application filed Maren )7.8, 1915.

To all tollem t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALFRED HERZ, a citizen. of the United States, residing at Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Imrovement in Light-Dimming Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, conoise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to light dimming mechanism and is particularly applicable to alternating current distributing systems. There is a very considerable demand by 'the public for an inexpensive means for turning down or dimming a standard electric light such the modern 25 or 40 watt tungsten lamp so that the same may be used for a night lamp, giving out only suiiicient light to illuminate the outlines of objects in a room or the like.

Numerous attempts have been made in the prior art Yto provide mechanisms which will allow greater or less voltage to be applied individually to a standard lamp so as to cause greater or less current to flow through the fila ment and therebyincrease or decrease the amount of light given out?. One type of these devices switches the lamp current through a resistance to diminish the voltage impressd upon the lamp. Devices ot this type have not met the demand because of the waste oi: energy which their use entails. energy in the form of heat instead of using it in the lamp and a result no saving of any conserpience is e'fiiected. In devices of this kind. it has also been customary to connect the lamp terminals either to the resistance or directly to the line. This requires the entire current to he switched and requires a switch olz rather substantial structure to accomplish the same. Another type with which ani familiar employs two independent filaments in the body ot the lamp. The current is switched Ltrom the low resistance high wattage filament to the high resistance low wattage filai'nent to diminish the illumination. lThis type of device is objectionable being oi high first cost and requiring a special lamp. If either filament is broken the lamp is useless tor the present purpose.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple-and economical light dim- The resistance dissipates thel Specification of Letters atent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

Serial No. 15,278.

ming mechanism which will meet the above demand. I accomplish this by employing an inductance coil in series with the lamp lilament for the low illuminating condition and by short circuiting the inductance coil for the normal or high illuminating condition. This allows of the employment of a small and easily operated switch inasmuch as very little current passes through the same.

A further object is toprovide an improved inductance coil for use in the above or any similar situation..J

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the present specification, I have illustrated one embodiment in which my invention may appear.

Figure l is a. vertical longitudinal section of a light dimming mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. Z is a detail view taken at right .angles to Fig. 1,'with a portion of the outer casing or shell broken away. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same with the shell and lower sockets removed. Fig. 4 is an end view of the inner core of the inductance coil. Fig. 5 is a'wiring diagram the dirnmer shownv in Fig. l. tion of the stem and handle or" the switch, and Fig. .7 is an elevation of the lamp dimmer in place and installed ready for use, the reflector or shade of the lamp being broken away to reveal the relation o'll the parts. Fig. 8 is a central cross sectional view of the above device. Fig. 9 illustrates one of the radially slotted disks. l

The lamp dimmer as shown in Fig. l consists essentially of an upper plug l, a lower socket 2, an inductance coil 3 connecting the plug and the socket and a switch 4 for short circuiting the inductance coil. The inductanee coil comprises a central hollow core 5 of magnetic material, heads G and 7 also oit' magnetic material, an outer cylindrical shell S of magnetic material and awinding wound upon the inner core 5 and surrounded by the cylindrical shell 8. The central hollow core 5 is built up from a sheet et silicon steel by rolling the same in a spiral roll, as indicated in Fig. 4. The core is then insulated by the wrapping l() ot' paper7 transformer linen or the like. rPhe heads (l and 7 et the inductance coil are built up from a plurality ot circular disks el.: silicozti steel having an aperture through the central portion thereof ,for receiving the insulating Fig.v (3 is a modifica-v @a (und sleeve 11 which passes through the heads lze lli

titl

heads 6 and 7 areV not in contact with each other, but are separated .by insulating `washers 12. A block of insulation 13 which forms the body of the plug 1 is seated on top of the -inductance coil andthe block ot insulation 14 which forms a base 'for the socket 2 is seated on the bottom of the in#l y@ ductance. coil. -l bolt 15 vthreaded at both ends passes through both of these ,blocks and through the sleeve 11, and holds the parts together by -means of the slotted head 16 and the'slotted nut 17 which form the central terminals of the plug and the socket 2 respectively. A flat nut 18 may be threaded on the rod 15 for holding the block or insulation 14 to the inductance coil while` the parts are being assembled. rllhe plug 1 is provided with a cylindrical metal shell which is externally screw threaded to cooperate with the standard lamp socket, such as is shown in Fig. 7. This shell 19 forms one terminal of the plug 1. The bottom of the shell 19 is turned inwardly to form a llange and the flange is gripped between a shoulder formed on the block of insulation 13 and the ring of insulation 20 which surround the reduced portion of the block 13, as shown in Fig. 1. The block of insulation 14 at the bottom of the inductance coil 3 supports in. addition to the threaded socket 2 the members of the switch 4. This switch comprises essentially a moving spring con- A tact portion 21 (-see Fifi. 3) and an anvil portion 22 which is stiened by flange 23 bent at right angles thereto. A bracket 24 secured to the block 14 and having the parallel flanges 26, supports a switch shaft 27 upon which is mounted a block of insulation having square faces for coacting with. the spring member 21 and for securing a snap action when the switch is opened and closed.

l @ne end of the coil 3 is connected by means of a wire 29 with the socket shell 2 which is mounted on the block of insulation 14 and held there by means of the screws 30. The other end voit theinductance coil 3 is connected tothe shell 19 of the plug 1 by means ot the screws 31. A wire 32 which is also connected by the screws 31 to the shell 19 of the plug 1 is held in contact with the terminal of the movable switch member 21' and serves as the connection for short circuiting the inductance coil 3 when the light is to give normal illumination.

The coil 3, the switch 4 andthe socket 2 are protected by a casing 33 which is divided into two parts for ready assembly, the parts being held together by the small screws The upper halt of the casing is provided with a bracket35 which is secured by means of a screw 36 to the ring of insulation 20 which is pinned to the shell 19 and the block oit insulation 13 forming a ,age to the connections.

part of the plug 1. The lower hali of the shell is secured by means of a similar bracket 37 and screw 38 to the lower block ofpinsulation 14 which is secured to the socket 2. The shell33 serves as means to prevent relative rotation of the parts and prevent damsleeve of insula tion 39 .prevents contact bet'ween the socket .2 and the shell 33. A switch stem 27 eX- tends through an opening 40 in the casing 33 and lies adjacent the bulb 41 of the lamp which is screwed into the socket 2. rlhe lower portion of the stem 27 is made ieXible as by forming the same of a coiled spring 42 connect/edby means of the couplings 43 and 44 to the stem 27 and the insulate key 45 respectively. This stem is made flexible in order to prevent any undue strain being placed vupon the switch mechanism and 'in order to prevent injury or deformation of the same.. The lower portion of the casing 33 is provided with a pair of iianges 46 between which may be secured the strap 47 of a shade bracket 48. The flexible portion 42 of the stem 27 lies between the lamp bulb 41 andthe shade 49 in order that the same may readily be distinguished in the dim light given out by the lamp when 1the same is turned down. The plug 1 is screwed into the usual socket 50 provided with the key switch 51 .tor turning current off and on to the terminals of the socket. v lin Fig. G, l have illustrated anothe manner in which this switch stem 27 may be built up. ln .this case the switch stem 27 comprises a piece of steel wire which is secured to a key 45 and upon which are. threaded ornamental beads 52 of any preferred design. When it is desired to turn down the lamp, the vbutton 45 is turned to sign. All of the parts are made up oit lami nations of silicon steel in which the specii'ic resistance is very high for preventing loss by eddy currents. |lllhe laminations of the core 5 prevent any considerable losses therein and the disks comprising the headsvG and 7r are slotted radially to prevent eddy currentsl circulating therein. The outer shell casing is formed in amanner similar to the core 5, that is, by wrapping a sheet'oic silicon steel about the heads G and 7 to close the magnetic circuit. lt will be noted that the magnetic circuit is open between the core 5 and thc heads 6 and 7, the insulation 12 being interposed thcrebetwcen. This gap may be made of any desired amount which gives the proper inductance. I consider this core to be broadly new and intend to claim the same as such.

It can readily be appreciated `that the above dimmer lcan be constructed at a low eXpense and that it will efect a very marked ysaving over any of the devices now' in the j` market.

lsa

The efficiency of the inductance coil, above set out, as compared with a transformer is very marked. The transformer is constantly in circuit and has a constant energy loss which is not true of the inductance coil inasmuch as the same is short circuited during the period when the lamp is at normal illumination. As compared with a resistance cut into or out of circuit the present method of employing an inductance coil is far superior. The only loss which occurs in the present structure is that due to magnetization of the iron and as will be readily comprehended by those skilled in the art this is a very small amount, duc to the fact that it occurs fmly during the time when the lamp is turned down. The mechanism is particularly noiseless and embodies to. a marked degree, ease of control. The switch handle is always in sight and requires but a very slight effort to operate the switch inasmuch as only a small quantity of current needs to be switched.. The inductance coil reduces the voltage impressed upon the lamp from 110 or 120 to about 30 or 40 volts.

I employ the term spool in the specilica- `tion and claims to designate the core which serves as a spool to receive the winding. .l

, do not mean thereby to confine myself to -employing a strictly spool shaped core, or

"claims, must necessarily be separate and that the spool heats, to which I refer in the distinct pa'rts'of the core, -as thecore may' he. made substantially cylindrical. and the part mounted upon the ends, which correspond to similar parts of a spool.

While I have describe *l embodiment oi my able detail, I do not i my invention to any scribed or illustrated, as l' ci invention is capable of being e bodied in .t variety of forms and with numerous modifications all as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following:

l. In a device of the class described, an inductance coil comprising a magnetic core, a plug and a socket mounted on said core, winding inclosing said core, said windiiv plug and said socket,'a switch. for switching said winding into and out of circuit with said socket, and a shell inclosing said spool, said inductance coil and said socket.

3. In combination, a magneticilspool, a plug and a socket mounted on the ends oli said --spool, an inductive winding on said spool, said winding connecting said plug and socket, and a switch for short circuiting said'inductive winding. v

4. In combination a magnetic spool, a plug and a socket mounted on the heads of said spool, said plug and said socket having each a threaded shell, a bolt forming a common Contact for said plug and said og socket and passing through said spool, a winding mounted on said spool and connecting the threaded shells, and a switch for' switching the winding into and out of cir- Culi).

5. In combination magnetic spool, a plug and a socket mounted on 'the head oi' said spool, said plugand socket having threaded shells, a. bolt forming a common contact tor said plug and iter said socket, said bolt passing through said spool, a winding connecting the threaded shells, said winding being disposed on said spool, a. switch for switching the windingl into and out of circuit, and a casing inclosing said spool and said socket.

'3. In combination a spool of magnetic material, a plug and a socket mounted on the heads of said spool, said plug and said socket having each a threaded shell, a bolt f a common Contact tor said plug .cui socket passing through said l winding on said spool connecting the threaded shells, a switch for switching l winding' into and out of circuit, and a .tid winding, said switch o; magnetic mounted a g tor i .enting relative rotation o said plug and said socket.

il. In combi; tion a spool ol1 magnetic material, a plug and a socket mounted on the heads et said spool, a shell inclosing` the spool and the socket, and fastening means for plug, spool and socket serving as a central common contact tor plug and socket. V

9. In con iination, core, a block or end thereo"l plug contacts te of said blocks, socket contacts mounted on the other block, a winding on said cylindrical core and circuit connections between said plug contacts and socket contacts, said circuit connections including said winding.

. cylindrical magnetic ation i0.' nfcombination a spool shaped magnet ic cora.. a block of insulation secured to each end of said core, plug contacts mounted 'on one ,ot said blocks, socket contacts mounted on one of said blocks, said switch operating-toont said coil into and out of circuit.

11. ln combination a spool lshaped magnetic core, a block of insulation mounted on each end of said core, plug contacts mounted on one ci lsaid blocks, socket contacts mounted on the other block, and a bolt tor holdin@` said blocks of insulation to said core, said ,bolt assing through said blocks and through said cor'e and forming an electrical connection between said plug and said socket. y

12. ln combination a magnetic spool, a block of insulation secured to each head thereof, a winding on said spool, plug contacts mounted on one of vsaid blocks, socket contacts .mounted on the other block, circuit connections between said -plug and socket contacts, including said winding and a bolt for holding saidl blocksot insulation to said core.

block oi' insulation mounted on each head of said spool, .plug contacts mounted on one of said blocks, socket contacts mounted on the saidv winding, a bolt-for holdingsaid blocks of insulation'to said core, said boltserving as a common contact for said lplug and for said socket, and a switch mounted on they block ot insulation supporting the socket.

14. in. i combinationy a. ymagnetic spool shaped core,'a block of insulationk secured to each head ot said core, plug contacts vmounted on one of said blocks, socket con- 13. ln combination a magnetic spool, .al

ineens? v tacts mounted on the other of" said blocks, la winding on said core, a bolt lfor holding said bloc ofinsulation to said core, and

circuit connections including said bolt and.l said coll and a 4rotarysw1tch mounted on mounted on the other, a coil mounted on 'l said spool, said coil having its ends connected to a terminal of said socket and a terminal of said plug, a snap-switch and a connection for short-circuiting said coil.

16. ln combination, a magnetic spool, a block of insulation mounted on one head ot said spool, a connecting plug mounted on said block, another block of insulation mounted on the other head of said spool, al

connecting socket mounted thereupon, a rotary snap-switch mounted on-said latter block, a winding on said spool, said winding connecting said plug and socket, said switch 'bein connected across the terminals ot said win ing.

17;'111 combination, a magnetic spool, a

block of insulation mounted on the head of said spool, a connecting plug mounted on said block, another block ot insulation mounted onl theoth/er-head ot said spool, ar i' of switch contactsf mounted on said latter connecting socket mounted thereupon, a pair block, a rotary switch operating shaft, en

tending substantially parallel with the axis of said spool, and a handle onsaid shaft for operating said switch contacts.

In witness whereof, l hereuntov subscribe my name this 16th day of March, A.; D. 1916. l ALFRED HERZ.

Witnesses:

`llnismte W. Felon, ERNEST W; Refranes. 

